Wallner is new Waukesha Chamber president
Patti Wallner will become president of the Waukesha Area Chamber of Commerce in February 2003, moving to that position from her current job as executive director of the Greater Brookfield Chamber of Commerce.
Wallner succeeds Ann Nischke, who resigned the position of chamber executive director last year after winning election as state representative to the 97th Assembly District.
The title of the position has been changed from executive director to president, following a trend of chambers of commerce around the nation, noted Ty Taylor, of Waukesha State Bank, chairman of the chamber’s board.
"We are thrilled to bring Patti on board as president of the Waukesha Area Chamber of Commerce," said Taylor. "Her enthusiasm and high level of expertise will further enhance the professional services the chamber offers to its membership."
Taylor said Wallner stood "head and shoulders" above the rest of the 120 applicants for the chamber presidency.
During her three years in Brookfield, Wallner’s accomplishments included increasing membership and the retention rate of members, improving participation and commitment from the board and members at large, and creating an identity for the Brookfield Chamber, Taylor said.
Taylor expects Wallner’s efforts will boost activity in the Waukesha Chamber. "We’re going to see some good growth of membership in the chamber. And we’ll be more active in issue advocacy," he said.
"The staff is excited to have our future president in place, as we position the chamber to become an even greater resource for Waukesha County," said Bobbie Peters, acting president of the Waukesha Area Chamber of Commerce.
Peters, who is expecting her second child in May, will assume the role of vice president at the chamber; she had been associate executive director before that position’s name was changed to vice president.
Wallner is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She resides in Hartland.
Nischke has been named vice chair of the Assembly’s Economic Development Committee and a member of the Small Business Committee.
Jan. 24, 2003 Small Business Times, Milwaukee
